ATOMIC ENERGY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26200, 10 July 1946, Page 5

ATOMIC ENERGY

PROBLEM OF CONTROL NEW YORK DISCUSSIONS (Rec. 7 p.m.) NEW YORK, July 8. The two main issues still being discussed by the Atomic Commission Subcommittee are:—First, whether a new international agency should be established to control atomic energy; and, secondly, what its relationship shfuld be to the United Nations. The case for a new organisation, which was presented by Dr Evatt, rests on the fact that the Security Council could act only in the case of an actual threat of war, whereas much could happen in atomic energy development in one country or another before such condition could be said to exist. It was argued that the manufacture of atomic weapons would perform only one part of the general pattern of preparation for aggression, and by itself would not justify the council’s intervention. On the other hand, if general preparations for aggression became obvious the council could act in any case. The function of the new organisation would, therefore, be to nip such preparations in the bud. Dr Evatt emphasised that although the new atomic energy agency must have autonomy it, would not iippede the Security Council’s performance of its duties. He suggested that the new organisation should be established under a multilateral treatv and relationship to the United Nations should be governed by the treatv itself and the United Nations Charter. The treatv would provide for sanctions or Dunishment for violations, with proper safeguards, such as access to some international court. Every party to the treaty must be subject to the rules of conduct it laid down. For that reason no system of veto should be permitted to claim special immunity or privilege.